Des Moines Public Works Director Bill Stowe call the ordinance a rare “sea change” in city actions.

In the past, Des Moines has plowed around cars, which has left many streets with a patchwork of snow and ice. Stowe and others have argued not only are the ice patches unsafe, but they contribute to pothole problems.

The city in 2008 launched a voluntary process with some neighborhoods to take part in program. By 2010, 16 of the city’s roughly 50 neighborhoods voluntarily took part in the program that restricts parking during now removal operations.

Stowe tonight emphasized streets are not intended to be parking lots. Nonetheless, there are some neighborhoods that are so heavily populated that on-street parking is necessary.

For those five neighborhoods (Carpenter, Drake, Drake Park, River Bend, and Sherman Hill) , there will be a modified program. In those neighborhoods, there will be alternative on-street parking on odd or even days of the month coinciding with odd or even street addressing. For example, on-street parking would be allowed in front of 1211 22nd Street on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, etc. of each month during snow removal operations, and allowed on the 2nd, 4th, 6th, etc., on the opposite side of the street.

Multiple neighborhood leaders spoke about the issue before the council. Each expressed favor for the change.

People who violate the new ordinance will face a $35 fine. Police will issue warnings during the first two snows this year.